Metal partition



May 14, 1935. L.. G. .JAcoBsoN 2,001,574

METAL PARTITION Filed Nov. 8, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IIIIIIIIIJIIJIgAmIIuIIIIIIIIIIII gwwwnto'o Mink May 14, 1935. 1... a. JACOBSON METALPARTITION Filed Nov. 8, 1929 2 Sheejas-Sheet 2 glwuentoo QI QQ I Lydia);639216065022 FIG- 4 Patented May 14, 1935 UNITED STATES METAL PARTITIONLudwig G. Jacobson, Jamestown, N. Y., assignor to Dahlstrom MetallicDoor Company, Jamestown, N. Y., a corporation of New York ApplicationNovember 8, 1929, Serial No. 405,643

16 Claims.

This invention relates to an improvement in metal partitions and moreparticularly to the construction details and method of assembly.

The preferred embodiment of this invention provides two-elementpilasters joined to frame or panel elements and adapted to be removablyengaged to create full inter-changeability of units.

Prior to this invention the practise in metal partition manufacture hasbeen to provide frame units and pilasters, said units being in onefashion or another, removably supported between adjacent pilasters. Thistype structure resulted from the belief that insufficient partitionsupport could be attained in any other manner than by providing ruggedpilasters or posts by which to anchor to and support frame units.

.The following specification discloses a metal partition having for itsprincipal object the provision of fully interchangeable frame andpilaster units.

Another object of this invention lies in the provision of duplicatepilaster elements, one of which bounds the vertical edge of each frameunit.

A further object of this invention lies in the provision of expansionmembers by which to removably support the frame units and pilasters infixed engagement with floor and ceiling.

Other and further objects of this invention will be understood whenreference is had to the following specification in conjunction with theac companying drawings and in which;

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of one modification of this invention,assembled for use;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view showing pilaster andframe assembly, being taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view through a pilaster showing anadjustable support therefore and is taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through the frame unitsbeing taken on the line 44 of Figure 1;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view through a rail and adjacent panelsshowing that portionof the structure not included in Figure 4.; I

Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view, taken on line 6-45 of Figure 1,and shows the method of joining frame and pilaster elements Fig. 7 is ahorizontal sectional view, taken on the line 1-1 of Figure 6, furthershowing the connection between pilaster andframe elements; and v i Fig.8 is a vertical section through a pilaster showing the adjustablemounting therefor.

Referring to the drawings this invention is, shown comprised ofpilasters indicated by the reference numeral lil between which aresupported panel and frame units Each 'pilasteris comprised of a pair ofidentical and oppositely disposed elements l3 and M. .The element I3 isformed to provide a vertical face l5, one longitudinal edge of which isterminated by a spaced reverse flange I6. The other vertical edge of theface is ended in a short flange l8 which, from the shoulder i9, iscontinued in the flange 2|. From the shoulder lit, the flange 2| extendsapproximately the thickness of the partition wall and terminates in aright angle flange 22. 'The flange 22 is formed with a reverselydisposed clip 23,v the end 24 of which closely approaches the wall ofsaid flange. Inasmuch as the elements I 3 and l4 are identical,reference numerals applied to one element represent corresponding partsof the other element. Formed in the flafnge2| of each element are aseries of projectionsor shoulders 2%. Each of these shoulders is formedwith a flat face 2'! against which the inner Wall of the hereinafterdescribed frame elements abut. Metal and glass panels 28 and 29 aremounted in frames located between adjacent pilasters. A

head rail or subcornice 30 is mounted above the glass panel 29. The siderails 32, from the lower horizontal rail 33 to the intermediatehorizontal .rail 34,'ar,e formed substantially as shown in Figure 2,being shaped to create shoulders 35 which fit into a recess 36 in theflange 2| of the pilaster element. Pockets 38, formed jointly by theflanged walls 39 and looped portions 40, are adapted to re-' ceive panelelements 42. A flat central portion 43 of the rail is adapted to abutthe flange 2|. of. the pilaster when said elements are joined, beingsecured to said pilaster in any suitable manner as by welding. Securedby the flange 45, to one of the'panel elements 42, is a clip 46.Fastened to the other panel element is a channel member 41 havinga'flange 48 thereon engaged between the clip 46 and the wall of theopposite panel element by which to spacedly join said elements together.The lower horizontal rail 33 is formed with re.- versed flanges 5|] bywhich pockets 5| are created.- The inner wall 52of the pocket closelyapproaches the flange at. The panel elements 42 are frictionally engagedwith the lower horizontal rail 33 by the flanges 59 and walls 52. Theintermediate horizontal rail 34'is formed with double reversed. flanges53 providing pockets 54 along the lower edge thereof. The upper edges ofthe panel elements42 are received within the pockets 54. It will benoted from the description thus far that the vertical rails.

each panel element 42 is frictionally engaged with the side rails 32 andalso with the lower and intermediate rails 33 and 34. Inasmuch as thepanel elements 42 are formed from metal, it

is contemplated that there .will be no occasion to remove them fromtheir frame and no removable meanstherefore is shown.

The intermediate horizontal rail 34- is formed with a raised shoulder 56in the face 51 thereof. A moulding 58, secured by screws 59 to thecontemplated toljoi'n all of said elements'together to constitute acontinuous vertical rail re ceivable'in therecess 36 inthe pilasterwall; The face 62 of the rail portion'justdescribed, being somewhatremoved from the flange 21 of the pilaster, is engaged with saidpilaster by 7 contact with the'faces '21 and is welded or otherwisesecured thereto. It will be noted that'the structure; along the upperface of the intermediate rail, is substantially identical with that ofThe horizontal element 65, which engages the upper portion of the glasspanel 29, is shaped identically with the portions of-"the vertical'railsengaging said panel, being 7 formed with" flanges 56, face El andshoulder 68.

.A moulding 69 is removably joined to the face 61' by 'sc'rews 59.

Above theielement is located the subcornice '30-;extending the fullpartition length and shown ,in one embodiment formed from rectangulartubing II. Within the tubing-are =two inverted fchannel members I3welded together along their base walls 14. The flanges of thechannelsengage'the upper and lower walls of the tubing H and'reinforce-saidtubing against buckling or twisting when the partition is s'ubjected'toany strain. Secured by Welding to the upper and lower faces of thetubing 'II,are clips I6- I having converging flanges TI. The clips 15are adapted 'to align the horizontal rail element 65 beneath the tubingand a second horizontal rail element I8- above the tubing, the inturnedfflang'e'sof said rail elements engaging the converging flanges 1! ofthe clips. 7 7

Between the subcornice 30 and the ceiling corniceBIIis locatedanother-panel 3|. This panel is'secu'red to the horizontalrail I8,vertical rails 83 -and upper horizontal rail 84. The vertical rails IlBare joined to the pilaster flange 2I by welding-or otherwiseisuitablysecuring the face thereof against' pilaster faces 27. The, cornice 'isformed with a longitudinally extending depression"85 in the lower wall86 thereof. Into this depression the horizontal rail 84 is fitted.

,Mounted' centrally of the edges on the upper face 88 of the cornice,and. secured thereto by welding, is a channel plate a 89. The fillerpanels are movedupwardly into engagement with pockets 93, of the ceilingrail 92 and joined to the plate 89 in any preferred manner as byscrews'SU; [A flange 94, spaced from the outer walls by -curved walls96, abuts the ceiling 91. A- r-einforcing plate .98" is mounted againstthe under face of the flange 94 and anchor bolts 99 firmly secure therail 92 to the ceiling 91.

Reference is now had to Figures 3, 4; and 8 wherein is shown thestructure by which each pilaster is supported. Beneath flanges 2I of thepilaster elements is a bracket IOI. Between the pilaster walls thebracket is formed with upwardly and, inwardly sloped walls I02 whichjoin together in a flange I04. An opening its is located centrally ofthe flange I04. The end flanges I05 of the plate extend beyond theflanged walls 2| of the pilaster to form a substantial seat for eachpanel unit which, as stated above, is comprised of spaced pilasterelements and a frame. Secured to the under face of the flange IM is anut I08, the threaded opening I09 therethrough being centered with theopening I05 of the flange I04. Beneath each pilaster, and thefloor, is abase plate a central opening II2. An adjusting and -sup porting bolt H3is threadably engaged with the nut I88. The lower end of the bolt II3'isformed with-a hexagonal head vI I5 beneath which projects a centeredshoulder I I6. The shoulder'I'IF is seated in the opening H2 of theplate I I'-I Rotating the bolt II3, by means 'of'the head I I5,-

secured in any desired manner to III in which is formed causes the nutI08 and plate IIII to move upwardly or downwardly. g i

The supporting structure just described is of sufficient strength to notonly carry the load of" the partition but be capable of moving each unitupwardly into close engagement with the ceiling.

When the partition has been adjusted by the bolt 5 I3 to engage theceiling, a gap between the base thereof and the floor occurs. The gapbeneath the frame is closed by a mop strip I-Ilwhichis secured in anysuitable-manner to thelower rail 33of'said frame as by screws HE; Aflange I20 is formed at right angles to the mop strip I I8and engagesthe floor, being secured thereto if'desired. The gap, between the baseof each pilaster and the floor, is concealed by pilaster plates I 2 I=which are joined to the vertical faces I5 of the" pilaster elements I3and I4 by screws I23. The

plates .I2I are of slightly increased size in order that, whenmounted-against the face I1, they will overlap adjacent mop strips H8.

The pilaster element, adjacent the building" .wall, has secured theretoa wall filler-'member is channel formed. and

I25; This 'member provided with finish shoulders I26 along the flangesthereof. The closed end of 'the'filler member is welded or otherwisesuitably joined to the flange 2| of the pilaster element. A'channel"bracket I21 is mounted within and strengthen the walls of the fillermember. 1

To assemble a partition constructed in accordance with this invention,the following method will be found most expedient. Each frame orremovable partition unit is comprised of two oppositely disposedpilaster elements between which are located panels 28 and 29.'-Priortoerecting the partition, base plates III, bolts H3 and plates I01 arepositioned,.the number thereofcorresponding with the number of pilastersoc-' curring in the partition wall. When these supporting member havebeen mounted on the floor, the partition units maybe assembled,'I'his-is' accomplished byengaging the flanges I6 of the pilasterelements with the clips 23 of the opposite elements and moving to aposition such that the flanges 2I of the elements rest upon the flangesI06 of the plate IIII', adjacent the sloped walls I02. Since it iscontemplated that the pilaster been reached.

Subsequent to the erection of the partition units, the subcornice ismounted, being engaged with the horizontal rails 65 through the elements16. Should it be found necessary to more firmly engage the subcornicewith the partition units, screws I29 areprovided by which engagement ishad between the rail element 65 and the lower wall of the subcornice.Above the subcornice and removably engaged therewith, along the flanges11 of the clip '16, are further'panel units. Each of these units iscomprised of spaced and oppositely disposed pilaster elements betweenwhich vertical and horizontal rails and panel 8! Y are located. When thepilaster elements l3 and M of adjacent units are engaged and adjusted totheir proper position, the full cornice 80 is mount-' ed thereon. Theceiling rail 92 is secured to the ceiling by' bolts 99 after which thefiller panels 9| may be mounted, being engaged within the recesses 93and secured to'the panel plate 89 by screws 90.

It will be noted that the subcornice extends unbroken the full length ofthe partition and constitutes a rigid and unyielding support to theentire assembly. It will be noted further that the partition units,located beneath the subcornice, are removable irrespective of thestructure above said subcornice. A partition unit may be removed byfirst removing the mop strip I I8, and pilaster plates I 2|. Access maynow be had to the adjusting bolt H3 which, when rotated in acounterclockwise direction lowers the unit. When said unit has moveddownwardly upon the bolt H3 approximately one-half inch, the upper railelement 65 will be free from the channel clip 16. The unit is then movedlaterally, first one direction and then the other, to disengage thepilaster elements.

While applicant has shown and described but one modification of thisinvention, it will be understood that other adaptations of the pilasterand frame structure herein shown and described, may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth inthehereunto annexed claims.

Having thus set forth my invention what I claim as new and for which Idesire protection I by Letters Patent is: I

1. In partition construction, a pilaster comprised of two identicalelements, means removably engaging said elements, panel framespermanently joined to and supported by said pilaster elements, and meansin said pilaster adapted to adjust said pilaster elements laterally apredetermined distance relative to each other While said partition isassembled.

2. In partition construction, diagonally split two element pilasters,means adjustably and removably joining said elements together, panelframes bounded by and permanently joined to elements of adjacentpilasters, a partition length cornice engaging said panel frames and anadjusting device supporting said pilasters, said device being adapted tomove said pilaster elements vertically and laterally relative to eachother and to a floor whereby to engage said 'pilasters and said frameswith said cornice.

3. In partition construction, pilasters, identical interengaging"elements forming each of said pilasters, frame units bounded verticallyby and permanently joined to oppositely disposed elements of adjacentpilasters, brackets supporting said pilasters and said frames, boltsthreadably engaged with said brackets and means adapted, when said boltsare rotated in one direction, to

move said pilaster elements laterally apart'a distance defined'by saidbrackets.

4. In partition construction, interengaging duplicate elements forming apilaster, frame units bounded vertically by and permanently joined toelements of adjacent pilasters, brackets sup porting said pilasters andsaid frames, bolts mounted on a floor and threadably engaged with saidbrackets, sloped wall projections formed centrally of said brackets andadapted, when said boltsare rotated in one direction to move upward- 1ycausing said interengaged elements to move laterally apart a distanceequal to between bases of said projections.

5. In partition construction, a pilaster comprising substantiallyduplicate elements, a clip terminating one vertical edge of each of saidele-- ments, a flange terminating the other vertical edge of each ofsaid elements, said clips being disposed opposite to and adapted toadjustably and releasably engagesaid flanges.

6. In partition construction, a pilaster comprising two'elements, meansremovably engaging said elements, and an adjusting device engageablewith said elements and adapted to move said elements laterally relativeto each other while said partition is assembled.

7. In partition construction, a pilaster comprising removably engagedelements, an adjusting device for said elements, said device including abracket supporting said elements, and a bolt for moving said bracketvertically to adjust said elements laterally apart relative to eachother.

8. In partition construction, a hollow pilaster comprising relativelyadjustable engaged elements,

a sloped wall bracket projecting into said pilaster and supporting saidelements, and a bolt for moving said bracket into said pilaster toadjust said elements laterally apart relative to each other. I 9. Inpartition construction, a pilaster comprising substantially duplicateelements, a clip terminating one vertical edge of each of said elements,a flange terminating the other vertical edge of each of said elements,said elements when united forming walls defining oppositely openingpanel frame recesses.

10. In partition construction, a subcornice, a channel clip joined toone face of said cornice, a panel frame, walls defining a longitudinallyextending recess in the outer face of said frame for receiving said clipand vertically aligning said cornice and said frame.

11. A pilaster comprising a pair of identical elements, means securingsaid elements together, and further means in saidpilaster, said furthermeans serving to adjust said elements laterally relative to each other.I

12. In partition construction, a pilaster comprising a pair of identicalelements, means removably engaging said elements, and further means insaid pilaster, said means serving to adjust the distance said elementslaterally and to cause said elements 7 to carry a portion of the'loadfrom the ceiling.

13. In partition construction, pilasters, panel frames supported by saidpilasters, panels in said frames; and clips on the inner edges of saidframes for frictionaily and adjustably supporting panels relative tosaid frames.

14. In partition construction, a sectional unit having a:.ba'se memberalong the bottom edge thereof, and "a floor clamp adjustably supportingsaid sectional unit, saidfloor clamp comprising a a" base portion, athreaded stud portion projecting 1O iiupwardly from said base portion,and a support-' ing plate threaded over said stud-portion; saidsupporting plate being operatively connected to the base member of thesectional unit. o

1 15. -In combination, a sectional partition comprising spaced uprights,a base board con-' horizontally extending I reinforcing memberconnected'to said baseboard, J anda floor clamp at-ieach end of said' sectionallnected to said uprights, a

said i said stud portion,

unit engaging said reinforcing member. and..ad-

justably supporting the unit. v t

16. In combination, a sectional partitionunitcomprising spaced uprights,abase board con.-' V nected to said uprights, a horizontallyextending"reinforcing member connectedto' said base board; and afloor clamp ateachend of said sectional"- unlt adjustablysuppoxtting the unit, each atsaid;

adjustment of the supportingiplate. I

LUDWIGL G. JAcoB so'Ni

